Heinrich Hoffman's 1845 Struwwelpeter might be classic German children's book, but it's not the kind of book you'd want to get anywhere near your own lovely little ones. That's because it's filled with horrific nightmares and gory tales of terror. In the tale above for example,

"The Story of Little Suck-a-Thumb" informs tots that A.) a vengeful tailor will lop off your appendages with hedge trimmers; and B.) your parents will shrug nonchalantly when it happens.

I used to have that book! I remember one of the stories was about children who stole and ate the baker's chickens, so he threw them into his dough-making machine, made them into bread, and fed them to his remaining chickens.

@Jessss: I think you're mixing up the stories, stealing chickens and ending up as the geeses' food in the end is Max and Moritz by Wilhelm Busch.I wonder how I survived all these books in my child hood staying sane, maybe I didn't...

I discovered this book in a friend's house quite recently. I they were reading it to their 3 year old. She's also read the The Gashlycrumb Tinies. A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.B is for Basil assaulted by bears.

My grandfather had both this Strewelpeter book and Max and Moritz (which I had completely forgotten about until you mentioned it, @Andre. I blame you for tonight's nightmares). I remember that weird childhood fascination with things that are scary - I wasn't really allowed to read it but would sneakily pick it off the shelf and flick through the pictures, knowing it was terrifying but unable to stop looking. *shudder*

I love the Gashlycrumb Tinies and fully intend to share it should I ever have children - a little safe fear is good for you ;)